Principal Quantum System Architect

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Quantum System Architect. Location: Redmond, Washington, United States

Job Type: Full-Time, Individual Contributor, Hybrid (3 days onsite)

Responsibilities:

• Evaluate different quantum computing qubit technologies and identify system bottlenecks and trade-offs.
• Build performance models for quantum computing systems and define optimal system requirements.
• Develop advanced modeling toolsets for quantum components and architectures;
• Analyze quantum applications and estimate required quantum resources for execution.
• Work across teams to align hardware, software, and application development efforts.
• Design subsystems of scalable quantum computing architectures.
• Support quantum error correction, device modeling, and quantum application teams.
• Contribute to system-level architecture decisions for future quantum machines.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years experience, or Master’s with 6+ years, or PhD with 3+ years in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in software development, scientific computing, hardware systems, or multi-component system design;
• Background in high-performance computing, quantum algorithms, quantum error correction, or quantum simulation.
• Strong communication and cross-team collaboration skills.
• Experience working across complex technical organizations.

Preferred:

• Experience designing quantum applications for fault-tolerant quantum systems.
• Knowledge of classical computer architecture, GPUs, TPUs, or accelerator systems.
• Strong applied mathematics background;
• Experience with performance modeling and system-level simulation.
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Annual salary range: USD $139,900 – $274,800 (varies by location).
• Higher range for San Francisco Bay Area and New York City: USD $188,000 – $304,200.
• Full-time employee benefits package including healthcare, paid time off, and retirement plans.
• Access to Microsoft learning platforms and AI-driven development tools;
• Opportunity to work on large-scale quantum computing systems within Azure Quantum ecosystem.
• Exposure to cross-disciplinary research and global engineering teams.

Other Information:

• Work arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office per week).
• Travel requirement: Less than 25%.
• Security clearance and citizenship verification required due to export control regulations.
• Candidates must pass Microsoft Cloud Background Check;
• Must be eligible to work without restrictions under applicable U.S. regulations.
• Microsoft promotes diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity employment.